West: ALASKA: McCain

Published: November 6, 2008

Nine days after he was convicted of seven felony counts, Senator Ted Stevens held a narrow lead on Wednesday in his bid for re-election. The race remained too close to call.

Mr. Stevens, 84, led his Democratic challenger, Mayor Mark Begich of Anchorage, by fewer than 3,400 votes with more than 55,000 absentee, early and questioned ballots still to be counted.

The Stevens campaign, referring to traditionally strong Republican showings in late-counted ballots, said it was ''almost mathematically impossible'' for Mr. Begich to win. But the mayor said the race was far from over. He noted that his campaign had made an aggressive effort to win absentee and early voters and that he had won absentee counts in his elections as mayor.

Mr. Stevens, a 40-year incumbent, would be the first convicted felon elected to the United States Senate. Even if he wins, he may still have to step down. Some Senate leaders, including some in his own party, have said he will be expelled if he does not win his criminal appeals. Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican nominee for vice president, has also called for Mr. Stevens to resign.

The senator has said he will resign if he does not win the appeal of his conviction by a federal jury in Washington of failing to disclose more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations.

Alaska's sole member of the House, Representative Don Young, fought off a strong challenge from a Democrat, Ethan Berkowitz. Like Mr. Stevens, Mr. Young, a Republican first elected in 1973, is known for bringing Alaskans millions in federal money. Mr. Young has also been under federal investigation, though he has not been charged with a crime. Mr. Young trailed Mr. Berkowitz in pre-election polls.

''I don't listen to the polls, never have,'' Mr. Young said late Tuesday as supporters chanted around him at the Egan Center in Anchorage, where candidates traditionally gather to watch returns. ''The people believe in me.''